Aerospace Technology Institute
The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) is an independent company established as a collaboration between Government and Industry to set the UK’s aerospace technology strategy and fund a wide variety of transformative research and technology projects, securing the UK’s global leadership in aerospace technology.
The ATI’s objective is to enable aviation to reduce its environmental impact through providing thought leadership on all aspects on the future of flight and through funding research projects that secure jobs, maintain skills, and deliver economic benefits across the UK.
The UK government announced continued support for the Institute to 2031, with R&D funding of £975m. This will be matched by industry, generating funding of circa £2bn for UK aerospace R&D, building on the £3.2bn invested to date.
In 2022 the ATI launched its latest technology strategy, Destination Zero, which sets the path towards achieving net zero carbon emissions for commercial aircraft by 2050 and positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable design, manufacture, assembly and operations.
Setting out the priorities for investment, Destination Zero provides guidance and roadmaps for technological developments required across three technology areas of focus: zero-carbon emission aircraft technologies, ultra-efficient aircraft technologies, and cross-cutting enabling technologies and infrastructure.
A key focus for the ATI is the development of opportunities that take forward the recommendations from its FlyZero project, an intensive independent research study investigating zero-carbon emission commercial flight.
In March 2024 the ATI also launched a Non-CO2 Programme to be delivered in partnership with Department for Business and Trade and Innovate UK. This will bring academia, government institutions, and industry players together to translate theoretical concepts into viable technologies for managing other atmospheric emissions beyond CO2. To support this, the ATI also published a Non-CO2 Technologies Roadmap identifying priority areas for tackling these broader atmospheric emissions.
Having been established 10 years, the ATI continues evolving with ambitious plans to deliver on its mission of transforming aerospace through technology and innovation. The UK aerospace sector is going through a major change cycle to meet its sustainability responsibilities, which entails substantial technology investment and development.
About the role
Position Title: Technologist
Reporting to: Head of Technology – Sustainability and Strategy
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Cranfield or London /Hybrid working
Travel: As required
Salary: Competitive
This role is part of the Technology Team which is core to the ATI activities. The Technology Team develop an ambitious technology strategy for the aerospace sector, execute the strategy through the stimulation and assessment of a portfolio of funded projects, challenge and enhance the sector through thought leadership, and work to enhance ATI capability and influence that ultimately adds value for the UK economy and sector.
Responsibilities will include:
- Provide sustainable technology inputs to ATI Technology, SME and Non-CO2 Programmes, reviewing and providing feedback on technology project proposals.
- Support Non-CO2 Programme including monitoring status of science and technology themes coming forward.
- Participate in the wider external stakeholder network to ensure ATI remains fully informed and engaged in developments in academic / policy / operational trials / other external initiatives in this field.
- Build understanding of key aerospace sustainability issues across the ATI.
- Develop and manage external networks with industry, academia, government and non-government stakeholders to influence understanding of key environmental challenges and priorities.
- Support ATI external communications including development and launch of thought-leadership pieces.
- Support the UK Government on delivering policies around sector decarbonisation, non-CO2 emissions, air quality, noise and circular economy.
- Guide sustainability modelling demonstrating the potential environmental benefits of ATI investment and exploring sustainability pathways to 2050 and beyond.
- Represent the ATI at UK and International Conferences.
This is an opportunity to join an organisation that is leading the strategic direction of the UK aerospace sector and deliver a tangible impact for UK Industry, with a unique level of exposure to the full spectrum of innovation and technological development in the UK aerospace industry.
Required skills, competencies and behaviours:
- Degree qualified in Engineering or Science with experience working in a professional aerospace or aviation role;
- A good appreciation of the key environmental challenges facing the sector and the main technical and non-technical solutions under development;
- Some appreciation of adjacent sectors including energy and fuel supply, and emerging options including liquid hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF);
- Experience writing short, concise briefing documents for both technical and non-technical audiences
- Capable of strategic and independent thinking
- Preferably experience of technology assessment and exposure to collaborative technology programmes with multiple partners.
Personal qualities:
- Team working and organisational skills.
- Confident to engage networks across multiple, diverse stakeholders, including engaging with entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, and government officials
- Self-starter with energy and drive to deliver high performance and integrity in work.
- Diplomatic and good at influencing
- Open-minded and forward thinking to drive progress in innovation and technology.
- Positive, can-do attitude in the face of challenges.
- Comfortable with a high level of ambiguity.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; willingness to represent ATI and the UK Aerospace Sector at conferences and other events.
The ATI must continue to innovate how it delivers and take a leading role in the development of technologies to meet zero emission targets for aviation. The ATI believes that equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace are essential to achieving these ambitious objectives.
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
ATI benefits
- Competitive salary
- Attractive pension scheme
- Private Medical Insurance
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Life Assurance
- Professional development training
- Paid membership to one professional body per year
- Hybrid working, including core hours
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and additional Christmas leave
- Company Maternity & Paternity Pay
- 30 days Company Sick Pay
How to apply
Please apply via Indeed.com by following the link here.